Trends in Neurosciences
Volume 6, 1983, Pages 325-333
Journal home page for Trends in Neurosciences

Review
Coexistence of peptides and classical neurotransmitters

https://doi.org/10.1016/0166-2236(83)90149-2Get rights and content

Abstract

Recent evidence suggests that biologically active polypeptides are present in certain populations of neurons which also contain classical transmitters such as noradrenaline (NA) or acetylcholine (ACh). Thus, it may be possible to subdivide a classical transmitter system on the basis of coexistence with specific peptides. Peptides and monoamines have differential mechanisms for synthesis and replacement after synaptic release, and possibly different subcellular storage sites as well. The release of the peptide and classical transmitter upon nervous activation may depend on the intensity of stimulation. Following release, peptides and monoamines may interact at the level of the receptor and/or second messenger before evoking a functional response. Data hitherto obtained in the peripheral nervous system indicate that the classical transmitter causes a rapid response of short duration, whereas the peptide is responsible for a more long-lasting effect. The concept of multiple synaptic messengers may explain why drug-induced blockade of classical receptors sometimes abolishes only partially the effects of nervous activation, for example atropine-resistant vasodilation in exocrine glands. It seems appropriate to consider the possibility that coexistence of multiple transmitters and/or modulators may have implications for our understanding of pathophysiological processes in nervous disorders. Furthermore, the coexistence concept may be of importance in strategies for developing new therapeutic drugs which interfere with neurotransmission.

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    1

    Jan M. Lundberg and Tomas Hökfelt are at the Departments of Pharmacology and Histology, Karolinska Institutet, S-104 01 Stockholm, Sweden.

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